Happy Eastertide to all Bloggers everywhere

Easter Lilies


Alleluia!
Christ is risen!
He is risen indeed!
Alleluia!
Wishing you peace, joy and happiness this Blessed Easter

When Cops Retire

When Cops Retire
When a good cop leaves the "job" and retires to a better life, many are jealous, some are pleased and yet others, who may have already retired, wonder. We wonder if he knows what they are leaving behind, because we already know. We know, for example, that after a lifetime of camaraderie that few experience, it will remain as a longing for those past times. We know in the law enforcement life there is a fellowship which lasts long after the uniforms are hung up in the back of the closet. We know even if he throws them away, they will be on him with every step and breath that remains in his life. We also know how the very bearing of the man speaks of what he was and in his heart still is.

These are the burdens of the job. You will still look at people suspiciously, still see what others do not see or choose to ignore and always will look at the rest of the law enforcement world with a respect for what they do; only grown in a lifetime of knowing. Never think for one moment you are escaping from that life. You are only escaping the "job" and merely being allowed to leave "active" duty.

So what I wish for you is that whenever you ease into retirement, in your heart you never forget for one moment that "Blessed are the Peacemakers for they shall be called children of God," and you are still a member of the greatest fraternity the world has ever known.

I am most grateful to my loyal internet buddies Dean Eddy (USA) & Mel Lomax (Australia), who are both retired police officers, for this poignant and moving resume' of what it means to be a retired law enforcement officer in every civilised and democratic country.

May I take this opportunity of wishing all my readers a truly peaceful Easter and I trust it will bring with it new life and fresh hope for each and everyone of us.

The Passion of Christ

This coming Holy Week, do tune in to watch a major forthcoming BBC television series - The Passion. Praised by numerous church leaders, it is expected to make a huge national impact over the Easter season - drawing more than ten million viewers.

The series,which starts today, Palm Sunday, 16th. March, will be scheduled in peak time on BBC1 at 8pm. It tells the story of the last week of Jesus' life, his trial and crucifixion. The last episode, to be broadcast on Easter Sunday 23rd. March, dramatises his post-resurrection appearances.

The Passion has been made by award-winning drama producer Nigel Stafford-Clark, who was responsible for Bleak House and Warriors. The cast includes Cold Feet star James Nesbitt as Pilate and EastEnders actor Paul Nicholls as Judas Iscariot. The part of Jesus is played by the relatively unknown Joseph Mawle, who at 33 is the same age as Jesus during the events of the Passion.

The Churches' Media Council has launched a website to provide resources and information about the series. Visit: www.churchesmediacouncil.org.uk/passion

The group encourages Christians to seize this "golden opportunity to contribute to a contemporary public discussion about Jesus." Guidelines on the site encourage the Christian community to welcome the retelling of the stories for a new generation, but to treat it as drama first rather than theology.

Andrew Graystone, Director of the Churches' Media Council, was profoundly moved by early versions of the series. "This is an extremely vivid piece of drama. You feel you are right there, in amongst the Passover crowds, alongside the disciples as Jesus comes out with these simple but earth-shattering messages. And then of course, he's taken away and makes the ultimate sacrifice, and like the disciples, you're left to decide what you are going to do about it."

The episodes will continue on Monday, 17th. March, Good Friday, 21st March and Easter Sunday, 23rd. March. Internet viewers can access the series via the BBC's website.

Michael Todd, QPM, B.Sc(Hons) M.Phil.

It was with great sadness that I learned, last evening, of the tragic news and disbelief of the sudden death and mysterious circumstances surrounding the alleged suicide of Mr. Todd, Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police. He was an inspirational police leader who instilled confidence and respect in the police service in general but Greater Manchester in particular. That integrity spread beyond the police service itself and into the wider general public which is an achievement many senior officers aim for but few succeed to secure. He was a "copper's copper" in every sense of the word and his ability and skills as an outstanding chief constable will be sorely missed by GMP, ACPO, the Home Office and the police service as a whole.

I am unaware of the reasons for the imbalance of his mind which may have resulted in his decision to take his own life despite a lot of speculation currently permeating on the internet. Whatever his reasons it is still a tremendous tragedy and I cannot help but feel for his family and friends. I know he has a wife and 3 young children and to them I pray for God's blessing in these days of traumatic grief.

The country needs more leaders of Mr. Todd's calibre and whatever his personal problems were I cannot believe they warranted the termination of his life so abruptly and tragically. A sad loss to his family and also to the police service as a whole.

Speeding Motorists - a new remedy!

Is it because I am getting into my third age or what? But I am increasingly alarmed at the inconsiderate motorists and motor cyclists who simply ignore the maximum speed limits permitted on our roads. Even on the motorways I am constantly overtaken by vehicles blatantly ignoring the 70 MPH limit. As for the 30 MPH restrictions around my home, well they may as well read 50 or 60 MPH and I have two schools in my vicinity! Why is everyone in such a tearing hurry these days? Invariably, you catch them up at the next set of traffic lights or area of congestion anyway!

I am most concerned for the elderly and parents with young children who cannot rush across the road in order to avoid a speeding vehicle. I have witnessed so many near misses that it fills me with horror the thought that one day someone is going to be badly injured or even killed by these accelerator/throttle happy drivers who think they are Formula One Kings of the Road. In case you think I am knocking young drivers let me stress that I am not because I have seen people old enough to know much better ignoring the speed limit signs. However, having said that there is a big problem with youngsters on these newer small motor cycles, probably no bigger than 49cc, which make a horrendous deafening noise polluting the environment but that is a separate issue and a subject for another day.

Go on say it, David is becoming a grumpy old man! Yes, and I agree with you. Come back Victor Meldrew (of TV sitcom "One Foot in the Grave") all is forgiven! "I don't belieeeeve it!"

The enforcement agencies do their best but it is impossible for them to be everywhere all of the time. In any case they come in for unfair criticism if they are perceived as hammering the poor motorists instead of catching criminals. Strange ideology that because, in my opinion, a person who kills or seriously injures another person on the roads because of dangerous or reckless driving is just that, a criminal!

I mentioned this to an internet pal of mine and he sent me this humorous picture of a possible solution to my problem. Grateful thanks to Dean and Mal but I think the civil liberty activists or human rights protagonists might have something to say about this politically incorrect remedy!

Mothering Sunday -- Sandra Day O'Connor

'Direct your children onto the right path.' Proverbs 22:6

When Harry and Ada Mae Day brought their first child Sandra home from the hospital, it was to a tiny ranch house without running water, electricity or a school within driving distance. But they refused to let their surroundings limit them. His father's death had precluded Harry from attending Stanford University (one of America's top universities) but he never lost hope that his daughter would study there. Ada Mae subscribed to educational newspapers and magazines, home-schooled her daughter and later sent her to the best boarding schools. Sandra did attend Stanford, then law school and eventually became the first woman Supreme Court Justice in America. The day she was sworn in she donned her robes and took her place among the other justices. Then she locked eyes with her family and the tears began.

Don't buy into the modern mindset that devalues motherhood; there's no more important job on earth. Solomon said, 'Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.'

What made Sandra Day O'Connor successful? Intelligence and ambition undoubtedly played a part. However, much of the credit goes to a determined little woman sitting in a four room mud-brick house reading to her children hour after hour and to parents who spent time on educational trips.

Chuck Swindoll says, 'As significant as political, military, educational, or religious figures may be, none compare to the impact made by mothers. Their words are never fully forgotten, their touch leaves an indelible impression...the memory of their presence lasts a lifetime. I ask you, who else has that kind of influence?'

http://www.ucb.co.uk/word_for_today

TWO GLASSES OF WINE

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 glasses of wine...

An English professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was. The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar.

He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was. The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous 'yes.' The professor then produced two glasses of wine from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed. 'Now,' said the professor, as the laughter subsided, 'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life.

The golf balls are the important things; your family, your children, your health, your friends, and your favourite passions; things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, and your car. The sand is everything else;the small stuff. If you put the sand into the jar first, he continued, there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life: if you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.

Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out to dinner. Play another 18 holes. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first; the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.'

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the wine represented. The professor smiled. 'I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of glasses of wine with a friend.'